What are you using for tracking?

I am a bit overwhelmed with the most likely rare and random fly aways. I just can't imagine watching my joy drift away to never be found by me again.

Currently I use an android phone with LTE connectivity to give me real time tracking and of course sound alerting. 

While this works its Heavy and Costly. The positive side about heavy is a dedicated battery that I hope would allow me to locate my girl if the main battery or fpv battery becomes inactive; and being a small computer I can get some flight data logged. 

I have seen lighter devices based on RF but the range seems limited 1000' to a very costly one that does 2 miles. I feel in a true fly away 1000' no enough 2 miles maybe but I suspect under good conditions she could fly more then 2 miles.

I have seen these China GSM/GPS trackers that are small light and most importantly don't need data links so cheaper. However I am not sure how much trust I have in them only because I have not seen a  number of people using them.  I know that under "Most" instances the GPS/Cellular Triangulation will get me with in a couple hundred yards, which should be close enough to start listening for the phone to ring.

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  • Money is not the problem, I mean I am forced to pay for cell and data coverage that  cost a ton over time. I worry about range, 5 miles is likely fine for a hex that would likely die or crash before that range. But a good delta wing flying fpv can be 10's of km out if something goes wrong.

    I dont mind paying 10 bucks for cell coverage but I don't like being forced to pay for data. That's why I was hoping pride had feed back about those mini gps/gsm. 

    Gsm coverage for non data is pretty good where I live but would be useless like you mentioned out in the forest or desert.  Guess with out spending big bucks there is no perfect solution. Maybe I can get a tracker like they use for whales then hack into the tracking satellite to find her ;-)

    • If you really need distance they sell their 50 mW AT-2B pinger for $100. They say 5+ miles on the ground and 50+ miles in the air. But it was way overkill for my needs, and it's somewhat heavier. If you have a fixed wing then the weight isn't an issue. Once you have the receiver it doesn't matter which of the pingers you use or how many, so you could use a small, lower powered one for a multicopter and if you have a fixed wing get the high power one.

  • I tried a popular GSM tracker, but I thought it was heavy and dependent upon decent cell coverage. You also need a SIM card for it, which often means a monthly fee, unless you can find a prepaid cellular setup.

    I ended up getting a PR-100A from Communications Specialists. I waffled over making such a pricey expenditure for some time. But then I added up the dollars I have in the air as well as the MANY hours invested in constructing my various flying goodies, and then it seemed ....not so expensive. The $50 PT-1B transmitters weigh next to nothing and have a range of miles. You can buy multiple transmitters (on different channels, if you'd like) for different models, or just switch one over from craft to craft. You can also track your dog with it very nicely. With a fresh Lithium coin cell it will ping for about 30 days straight. This is a REALLY well made and serious unit.

    I guess the question is, how much would you be willing to pay for a one-time insurance policy that pretty much guarantees you will find your craft if it heads off or goes down in a wooded area?

    RC PLANE, Communications Specialists Inc., RC Plane, Model Airplane Tracking, Model Rocketry Tracki…
    Model Aircraft ELT, Transmitters and Receivers for Model Airplane Tracking, Transmitters and Receivers for Model Rocket Tracking
  • I have a few cheap ebay trackers, like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171207483414?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&amp...

    I mainly use them for my kids, to know where they are when they are out. (I refuse to give them phones yet).

    As long as they have a reasonable view of the sky their position is very accurate. I insist they put them in a top pocket or on a lanyard. They don't work so well when under loads of clothing.

    I plan to velcro one to my hex - should be easy to find it in the event of a fly-away.

    • I am glad to hear someone else say they use them, I just get iffy about some oversea's products and this was one of those things I was iffy about. I would love to shave off some weight as the phone is 170grams.

      Did you have any issues activating it? I see your link is in the UK are you a UK resident?

      • Yes I'm in the UK. I use a free Pay-as-you-go sim which is free to call / send SMS's to phones on the same network. My cellphone is on the same network, so free to call the tracker, and it's reply SMS is free also :)

        Unlikely that I'm flying in areas with no cellphone coverage, so all good.

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